Substance guides

What is Suboxone? The medication that saves lives

Published April 1, 2025 · 8 min read · Updated April 2026

Reviewed for accuracy by licensed clinical professionals.

Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is the most widely prescribed medication for opioid use disorder. It reduces overdose death by approximately 50% and is considered the gold standard treatment.

How it works

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that partially activates opioid receptors, preventing withdrawal and reducing cravings without producing the full high of heroin or fentanyl. Naloxone is included to deter injection (it causes withdrawal if injected but is inactive when taken sublingually).

Myth busting

It is not replacing one addiction with another. It stabilizes brain chemistry like insulin stabilizes blood sugar. It does not get you high at therapeutic doses. You can work, drive, and function normally. Long-term use is safe and associated with better outcomes.

What to expect

Sublingual film or tablet dissolved under the tongue daily. Initial stabilization period (1-2 weeks of dose adjustment). Side effects: headache, nausea (usually temporary), constipation. Most people feel normal within days of starting.

Authoritative sources

This article references guidelines from: SAMHSA · NIDA · ASAM

Frequently asked questions

What is Suboxone?

A medication combining buprenorphine and naloxone that treats opioid use disorder by preventing withdrawal and reducing cravings.

Is Suboxone just replacing one drug with another?

No. Suboxone stabilizes brain chemistry without producing impairment. It is medical treatment, not drug substitution.

How long do you take Suboxone?

Longer duration is associated with better outcomes. Many patients benefit from 1-2+ years. The decision to taper should be clinical, not ideological.

Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357.